Mt Maunganui is a stunning coastal town in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty, known for its golden beaches, volcanic summit hiking trails, and laid-back surf vibe. It’s a favorite for both adventure and relaxation. In this Mount Maunganui travel guide, you’ll uncover the most unforgettable things to do in Mt Maunganui. From incredible panoramic Mount Maunganui hiking trails, beautiful white sand beaches in Papamoa to dramatic waterfalls near Tauranga.

Mt Maunganui is often fondly referred to by locals of the north island as ‘The Mount’, so if you ever hear that term being thrown around then you’ll know the exact holiday location that is being mentioned.

Best Time to Visit Mt Maunganui

Spring (Sep – Nov) Cooler mornings, warm days and fewer crowds than summer.
Summer (Dec – Feb) Weather is hot, city is vibrant with events but busy.
Autumn (Mar – May) Warm weather getting cooler in the evenings. Fewer crowds.
Winter (June – Aug) Cold, can be a little dreary but far fewer crowds.

Mt Maunganui Accommodation

Finding accommodation in Mt Maunganui is as simple as checking out listings on Airbnb or Booking.com. Uber is available in the Bay of Plenty so transport options are always readily available.

Hike Mount Maunganui

A woman standing at the edge of the cliff on Mt Maunganui hiking trails as one of the best things to do in Mt Maunganui

Photo of Mt Maunganui beach from the top of the Mount Maunganui hiking trail

A Mt Maunganui travel guide isn’t complete without a detailed mention of the beautiful Mount Maunganui itself. The extinct volcano sits as a center piece of the Tauranga skyline and features some of the most popular and picturesque walking tracks in the north island.

The Mount Maunganui summit reaches 232 meters above sea level, where you can see incredible panoramic views of the Bay of Plenty out towards the Kaimai ranges. The summit features a few bench seats, a viewing platform and plenty of smooth rocks to perch on for a rest, and plenty of Instagram worthy photo locations.

A map showing the different Mount Maunganui hiking trails

Mount Maunganui has three main tracks you can take depending on your fitness and energy levels:

Base track (The pink line – Te Ara Tutanga)
Summit track (The blue and green lines – Motukauri track and Waikorire track)

The Mt Maunganui base track is perfect for those who want an easy stroll to start or end their day. The Mt Maunganui base track provides beautiful views of the coastline where you might spot a seal or two sunbathing on the rocks.

The Mt Maunganui summit tracks are better suited for those with a good level of fitness and are keen to work up a sweat. Getting to the summit takes anywhere between 30 – 40 minutes and around 15 minutes to get back down. I recommend taking the blue track up the mountain and the green track down. The blue track is sheltered by trees with scattered views of Matakana island to the west, providing good shelter for you sweaty hike to the summit. This is also a gravel slope so not so great in the wet when you’re coming downhill.

The green track provides spectacular views down across Maunganui beach, coming this way down means you don’t have to keep turning around to look at the view behind you. Steps are installed for majority of this track which makes it easier heading back down. There are also various connecting tracks around Mount Maunganui, these are all clearly sign posted with their name, approximate distance and varying degrees of difficulty.

A photo of the beach from Mt Maunganui base track

Mount Maunganui hiking trail sign post pointing towards a Steep and Challenging route.

Mount Maunganui is a sacred mountain and should be treated as such. Please only stick to the designated tracks and the following items or activities are not permitted on Mount Maunganui:

Alcohol/smoking
Drones
Horse back riding
Fires/fireworks
Cycling
Dogs
Scattering of ashes
Rock climbing

Relax on Papamoa Beach

Papamoa Beach features 16 kilometers of crystal clear blue water lapping onto beautiful white sand. With lifeguard patrolled areas and rolling waves, Papamoa beach is perfect for surfers of beginner skill levels to experts. Grab yourself a picnic basket or refuel at any of the nearby pubs and taverns like The Island for amazing burgers, or Rubys for tacos and tequila.

Baypark Speedway

Baypark is a large stadium in Mt Maunganui which plays host to wide range of entertainment events throughout the year. From summer music events with international artists, to the speedway where you can watch burnout competitions, demolition derby and midget racing. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to sit trackside and dodge clumps of clay, witness vehicles being smashed in a competition of who can withstand the most damage, or even discover and support your favourite racing team. Check out the Baypark Speedway calendar for all their up and coming events.

Mt Maunganui Hot Pools

Nestled at the base of the mountain, the Mt Maunganui hot pools are geothermally heated and are perfect for unwinding after a day of hiking. Relax in the communal pool or treat yourself to a massage and a private spa for a bit of privacy.

Day Trips from Mt Maunganui

McLaren Falls Park

McLaren Falls is a popular picnic spot and day trip from Mt Maunganui, sitting only 30 minutes from Tauranga if you’re travelling by car. The Parkland of McLaren Falls park covers 190 hectares set alongside Lake McLaren, which trails down, surging between large rounded boulders before billowing down a 5 meter drop. McLaren Falls is especially magnificent after heavy rainfall.

McLaren lake is popular for swimming, while camping is permitted is certain areas of the park. Unfortunately, you can’t bring your dog along for the ride, not even if he stays hanging out in the car.

Wairere Falls

Wairere Falls is another popular day trip from Tauranga, sitting a 46 minute drive from Tauranga. The 5km walking track leads you to a magnificent 153 meter high waterfall weaving its way across moss covered boulders and large tree roots. Wairere Falls is the tallest waterfall in New Zealand sitting amongst native forest of incredible natural beauty.

Do not walk this track during or after heavy rainfall as the track is prone to slips and rockfall. Always double check the status of Wairere Falls on the Department of Conservation website before setting off. DOC has all up to date information on the tracks and whether they are open or closed due to weather conditions.

Hobbiton Movie set Tour

The last movie of the ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy was released over 22 years ago, but New Zealand loves to absolutely pulverize the drum that reminds the world “Yes, our beautiful country provided the backdrop for small, hairy people to run away on near fatal adventures!” Even over 2 decades later the Hobbiton movie set is still as popular as ever, I struggle to find a tourist in Auckland city that doesn’t have this aging movie set on their New Zealand Travel Guide.

Mind you I only sound cynical because I haven’t experienced it, the photos I see of the shire are still as vibrant as the day Gandalf wacked his head on Frodos’ ceiling.

Rotorua Day Trip

Picture of a clear blue river flowing between green trees and plants at Hamurana Springs, Rotorua

White Water Rafting in Rotorua. Enjoy this thrilling activity while on holiday in Rotorua

Rotorua is an hours drive south from Mt Maunganui and is the next perfect city in the Bay of Plenty to seek out adventure and nature retreats. The Rotorua Redwood Forest is loved for its treetop adventure, or simply explore the forest floor on foot. Test your water skills with white water rafting on the Kaituna River or simply enjoy some self care at any of the geothermal hot pools scattered throughout Rotorua.

More Experiences for your Mt Maunganui Travel Guide

Mt Maunganui is full of wonderful experiences but of course I haven’t indulged in them all. The following list of things to do in Mt Maunganui are worth adding to your Bay of Plenty travel guide, but you may need to do further research yourself as I am not lucky enough to share my experiences!

Tauranga Harbour Cruise
Dolphin and Wildlife Cruise
Waimarino Water and Adventure Park
Classic Flyers Aviation Museum
Hopukiore Reserve/Mount Drury